2022 Kia SORENTO PHEV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
18,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 22 complaints (40.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 |
Power Train: 9; Electrical System: 7; Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Trailer Hitches: 2; Back Over Prevention: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2022: 9; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11560570 · 2023-12-17 (December 17, 2023)
My 2022 KIA Sorrento PHEV periodically gives a "Check Hybrid System, Stop Safely" emergency warning. When this happens the vehicle will not accelerate and can only be limped to a stop. This has occurred 4 times in 18 months. In three instances the vehicle was limped to a safe stop but on the other occasion it left us stranded in an intersection. This problem creates imminent danger and potential peril. KIA maintenance looked at the vehicle after the last two events and reported that they can't do anything because there aren't any recorded fau…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11627399 · 2024-11-26 (November 26, 2024)
While driving down the highway the EV side of my PHEV wouldn't switch to gas. The car wouldn't accelerate past 40-50 mph and drained the remaining battery till my car shut off and forced me to the side of the road. Been to the dealer multiple times (over 4) for the same issue. They claim they recreate it and no resolution has been done.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11627399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498899 · 2022-12-26 (December 26, 2022)
Multiple times I have experienced weirdness with the Transmission in my 2022 Sorento PHEV. One specific situation has happened to me multiple times and is a safety risk. Occasionally while stopped at a red light or stop sign with a reasonable incline it seems the electric motor fails to engage and it never switches to the ICE engine either. Step by step 1 - Stopped at Stop Sign or Red light 2- Release Brake an Hit Gas 3- Vehicle does not move forward no matter how hard you hit the gas (Doesnt seem to engage electric or traditional engine)…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11638383 · 2025-01-24 (January 24, 2025)
Several times over the past 12 months, the car has applied emergency braking when a car approaches me from behind in the lane to my left. The dealer was not able to replicate the problem but I have captured it twice on my dash cam. I was only able to intentionally replicate the problem once on my own but it has happened 15-20 times. If I do not press the accelerator, the car will come to a stop without me pushing the brake. When the emergency brake is applied, the warning sound is heard in the car and the dash lights up with the emergency braki…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11662012 · 2025-05-20 (May 20, 2025)
I have gotten the notice Refill Inverter Coolant and Hybrid System Failure and lost acceleration and the all power. The first time this happened was in Dec 2024 with about 60,000 miles on the car. Dealer flushed system and it worked fine until April 2025 at about 71000 miles Hybrid system failure alert again, barely able to accelerate from stop light, made to a parking space just as I lost power steering. After about 2 hours to cool off car started and could be driven home. Got Refill inverter coolant alert.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11662012 at NHTSA ↗